Group F Division 3 Construction Standards: Industrial Building in London, Ontario
When planning an industrial build, understanding the National Building Code of Canada is essential for safety and compliance. At empcontracting.ca Inc. your construction contractor in London, Ontario, we provide the expertise needed to navigate complex regulations for Group F, Division 3 occupancies.
Building Requirements for Group F, Division 3 Occupancies
According to Division B, Article 3.2.2.89, buildings classified as Group F, Division 3 (Low Hazard Industrial) are permitted to be constructed using heavy timber or noncombustible materials. For single-storey structures, the maximum building area is determined by the number of streets the building faces:
- One Street: Maximum 5,600 m²
- Two Streets: Maximum 7,000 m²
- Three Streets: Maximum 8,400 m²
Sprinklered Industrial Building Advantages
Under Article 3.2.2.90, a sprinklered building allows for significantly larger footprints. A single-storey Group F, Division 3 building with an approved sprinkler system can expand to a maximum building area of 16,800 m². Working with empcontracting.ca Inc. your construction contractor in London, Ontario, ensures your fire suppression systems meet these specific code requirements.
Low Fire Load Occupancies and Unlimited Building Area
For specialized industrial facilities such as power generating plants or noncombustible material manufacturing, Article 3.2.2.91 provides an exception. These "Low Fire Load" buildings are not limited in building area, provided they are of noncombustible construction and limited to one storey in height.
Storage Garages and Spatial Separation Standards
Article 3.2.2.92 addresses open-air storage garages. These structures can be built without a fire-resistance rating if they meet several criteria: they must be noncombustible, no more than 22 meters high, and have a building area under 10,000 m². Furthermore, every portion of the floor area must be within 60 meters of an exterior wall opening.
Limiting Distance and Unprotected Openings
Spatial separation is a critical factor in preventing fire spread between properties. Section 3.2.3.1 dictates the maximum area of unprotected openings based on limiting distance. Whether your compartment is sprinklered or unsprinklered, empcontracting.ca Inc. your construction contractor in London, Ontario, utilizes Tables 3.2.3.1.-B through E to ensure your project maintains the necessary exposure protection required by the National Building Code of Canada 2025.